Pier 19 Luau

Every February for over the past 8 years, I am busy helping put together the Sweetheart Banquet at our church. It is a fund raising event focused on encouraging married couples. It is put on by some of the youth of our church. But, over the years it has gotten to be so much more than that. Its' main focus has changed to be an outreach opportunity to invite neighbors, friends, and co-workers to who don’t attend a church, and more importantly, who don’t have a relationship with the God who loves them.

While last year’s banquet was quite formal with the theme “Unforgettable” done in black & white, this year’s banquet was very casual. It was “Pier 19” – a luau theme and thus very laid back. People were encouraged to dress as they would to a luau.

After many months of our planning, directing the teens practicing the songs & skits, searching for ideas for decorating and food, the weekend finally arrived.
Everyone enjoyed pulled pork, twice baked sweet potatoes and a rice dish. The dessert was a frozen coconut cheesecake.

We had 20 teens in the program singing and dancing to “Surfin’ USA”, “I’m Gonna Walk 500 Miles”, “Chapel of Love” and “The World”. The fun that the teens had on stage through songs and skits made for an evening filled with laughter. This year we also did a skit that required audience participation, which was a great hit. We had many other teens help with decorating for the event and serving of the food.

Our Youth Pastor then gives a short word of encouragement for our marriages and God’s desire for them.
Here are a few of the pictures from the “Pier 19 Luau”.

The funds raised from the evenings will go to help students with expenses like our summer missions trip. This summer our group will be serving for a week in a neighborhood in Chicago.